Legacy Practices Do Not Meet Expectations in Big Data era

Thursday, September 26, 2013 - 11:20am

Despite all the hype surrounding Big Data, many organizations have not yet adopted the strategies. There are several reasons for this hesitation, including the fact that decision-makers sometimes encounter unforeseen implementation obstacles or managers are not entirely knowledgeable about the benefits of the projects. Although Big Data initiatives aren't necessarily the tipping point between business success and failure, the endeavors may push the balance toward the positive side in the future.

Today, Big Data can give firms a competitive advantage--a highly sought after capability in today's competitive landscape. Computer Weekly highlighted how this concept was discussed at Oracle OpenWorld in San Francisco, where experts across the IT industry proclaimed the benefits of properly embracing Big Data projects. Now that organizations are using cloud and mobile solutions more than ever before, decision-makers must find a way manage the increasing volumes of data that fall under corporate control.

"The zetabyte is the new language of data," said Doug Fisher, general manager of software and services at Intel, according to Computer Weekly.

Fisher told the audience of the computing cycle that is being driven by Big Data, which begins when companies collect and analyze massive volumes of information. Once firms begin to gather more data, executives then pursue flexible cloud computing technologies to take advantage of a scalable storage environment. Meanwhile, the use of cloud allows companies to support more mobile devices, which create information and continue the cycle.

At the same time, businesses cannot simply accumulate any available information because not all resources are equivalent in the value they provide. A Business 2 Community report highlighted a mentality that is beginning to emerge in the corporate landscape: Organizations can collect as much information as they desire, but if they don't analyze and use the right data, they won't experience significant operational improvements.

There is no doubt that the Big Data burden is putting pressure on existing infrastructure and practices. That's why it's important for executives to adapt if they want to stay competitive.

"With every disruption there's an opportunity to harness it to make it the business," Fisher said, according to Computer Weekly.

In the coming years, businesses must plan how they intend to capture, analyze, and use the growing volumes of information under their control. This progressive attitude will help decision-makers build a strategy that revolves around their specific needs, enabling them to optimize performance.

Though there's no substitute for intuition in a creative industry, but big data certainly has its place in steering young designers and major fashion houses alike in the right direction for their next big show.